Protected natural areas
The Maltese archipelago has reserves and natural parks, which reconcile protection of the environment and welcoming the public. In accordance with European regulations, the country has also created Natura 2000 protection areas to protect remarkable habitats and species.
The Ghadira Nature Reserve:
located in the north of Malta, it protects wetlands, former salt marshes, which have become habitats for migratory birds. There are nearly 140 species, which can be discovered during guided tours and from observation posts.Simar Reserve:
a wetland, also classified as a RAMSAR wetland, which is home to resident and migratory birds but also to other rare and protected species of fish and birds, chameleons and geckosMajjistral National Park
(Majjistral natural and historic park): located in the north-west of Malta, it is home to Natura 2000 areas and remarkable spaces, such as the coastal cliffs (Rdumijiet ta 'Malta). It protects a variety of ecosystems: scrubland, steppes, freshwater basins, cliffs, or dune habitats, and plant and animal species, some of which are endemic. It also combines a vernacular cultural heritage (dry stone constructions) and archaeological sites.There arealso other natural areas on the territory : the Salina nature reserve, the Marsaxlokk salt marshes, the Wied Ghollieqa nature reserve, the Xrobb L-Ghagin nature park.
Challenges related to water resources
Water is scarcely present on the territory, which does not include any rivers. Rainfall is particularly low from April to October with periods of drought that could become more frequent with global warming. At the same time, the demand for water is increasing, in line with population and tourism growth. Malta thus welcomed 2.6 million tourists in 2018 (14.3% more than in 2017), i.e. 5.7 more people than the number of inhabitants. In addition to their overexploitation, the water tables suffer from pollution linked to human activities (via waste water, waste, pesticides). Salinisation linked to the infiltration of sea water into groundwater could increase with global warming (rising water levels). To remedy this situation, the island is deploying various solutions. The cisterns of past centuries are no longer sufficient. As a result, several desalination plants have been built on the island, one of the disadvantages of which is their high energy consumption. The water treated in some treatment plants is also distributed to the country's highly fragmented agricultural land. Protecting the resource also means knowing consumption. For this reason, the country has introduced individual meters that make it possible to monitor water and energy consumption remotely. Other projects, such as the Alter Aqua programme (2011-2015) on the island of Gozo, have been based on the recovery of rainwater.
The energy and climate challenge
The territory is also characterized by a significant consumption of fossil fuels. This petro-dependence is linked in particular to the island's large - and often obsolete - car fleet (608 cars per 1,000 inhabitants), making the archipelago one of the most motorized countries in Europe, with the corollary of noise and air pollution. Even for short distances, all-motorized vehicles cause high levels of fine particle pollution. These carbonaceous energies also emit greenhouse gases. Alternative solutions have emerged in the region, such as self-service hybrid vehicle systems, with battery charging devices in public spaces, and electric scooters, also self-service. Soft mobility (cycling, walking) is still very underdeveloped. With regard to energy, incentives have been introduced to encourage the installation of solar panels (solar thermal). However, all these measures are insufficient in view of the climate challenges. A report published in 2018 by the Climate Action Network Europe singled out Malta as one of the worst pupils in Europe in the fight against global warming.
Efforts to be pursued in pollution prevention
One of the prominent - and visible - environmental issues in the Maltese archipelago is waste management. The omnipresence of rubbish, including in the waters and natural environments, may shock more than one visitor... The country is trying to keep up with European regulations and has set up a selective collection of certain types of waste (glass, plastic, cardboard and bio-waste). Many efforts remain to be made, particularly in terms of awareness raising (reduction at source and sorting). Some associations organise beach clean-up operations. The archipelago has also been singled out by the European Union for the concentration of pesticides in certain fruit and vegetables. Surface water, which is loaded with pollutants, contributes to the pollution of groundwater and the sea. Although the country remains one of the largest users of pesticides per hectare in Europe, it is worth noting that Malta was the first European country to ban glyphosate in 2016. Agro-ecology and agroforestry initiatives are being developed, such as Bahrija Oasis, a permaculture farm that organizes visits.
The tourism challenge
Malta is part of the SETnet network (Ciudades del sur de Europa frente a la turistización), which aims, among other things, to protect local resources from the adverse effects of mass tourism. Since 2016, the country has also introduced a tourist tax, including an environmental contribution. Programmes are also aimed at creating the conditions for more sustainable tourism. One can only advise the traveller to adopt a sober attitude towards the use of resources.
